As we enter the Spring season, mother nature reminds us of the beauty that transitions can bring: Growth and Change are what a life is made of. On March 1, I look forward to seeing our students and staff exchange martenitsi in celebration of Baba Marta. These marvellous moments help us to pause, notice, and celebrate the connections and growth that we have made. It is in these moments, I think about the time left in the school year to watch our students blossom; yet, at the same time I am reminded of the uprooting our community has in store. We prepare for members of our AAS community to transplant onto a new community while some of us remain rooted here in Bulgaria. 

Delicate moments of transition bring up so many emotional experiences, such as pain, love, grief, gratitude, and so many more. In this uprooting it is critical that as a community we take time to prepare for this inevitable change, as it can help us to transition in a healthy way. In anticipation of this transition period we want to start preparing our “R.A.F.T.” to help take us to our next destination. Our transition RAFTS are made of four parts: Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewell, and Think Destination. As we lean into this new season of Spring it is an ideal time to start working on our RAFTS.  

Reconciliation: The first log of building our raft and potentially one of the hardest. As we prepare to move forward to a new destination we need to pause and reflect on our relationships: Identify if there is any repair or forgiveness needed to stitch up unresolved issues so that we can let go and have more space for healthy relationships. 

Affirmation: The second log helps us to recognize and relish in the value that the place and people of Bulgaria have brought to our lives. Taking time individually or as a family to share our gratitude for our experiences and relationships that will soon be cherished memories. Another beautiful way to express affirmation is to write a card of thankfulness to those who helped make Bulgaria a special place in our lives. A bonus here is that those uprooting as well as those rooted here in Bulgaria can share these appreciations and memories to be read over and over. 

Farewell: The third log of our raft, one of my favorites, is often avoided by those going through transition. Personally, I think that this is a good place to start with building the raft… but then we may be using a less pleasant acronym. This is the part where we start to process the inevitable goodbyes. It's very important that we acknowledge not only the people, but also the experiences, places, food, and animals that make Bulgaria home. A great way to ensure that you make time for this is to have the whole family make a list of their treasures under each of these categories. If you start this now you can create a “to do list” of ideas on how to spend your remaining time in Bulgaria. This could be visiting your favorite park, enjoying the vista from the Rila Mountains, or savoring one last Banitsa.  

Think destination: The fourth and final log in our raft is another important part for those leaving and those staying. Taking a moment to wonder… What will this next season of life look like? What are we looking forward to? How will we honor and process our grief? These wonderings inspire a sense of hope for what's next and potentially plan how we will keep our connection with the amazing community we've cultivated in Bulgaria. 

For those of you who are firmly rooted here or preparing for another season elsewhere please know that your AAS community is here to support. Though it is nearly the start of Spring, it's a good time to prepare for these inevitable changes. If you or your family are wanting tools to build your raft or a “workshop” to process these changes please know that our AAS Counseling Team and Administration are here to help make space and provide support. We hope to see you in May at our Parent Coffee for Transitioning and Leaving families. In the meantime, consider the roots you’ve planted and the moment you will begin building your raft as you enter this next season. 

Resources for further growth: 

• Tips for Transitioning with Children 
• Building a RAFT Worksheet
• Factors Affecting Third Culture Kids’ (TCKs) Transition
• Book: “Third Culture Kids 3rd Edition: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds”